The upcoming election remains close, but one possible outcome raises serious concerns for religious freedom.

Writing in The Australian, Chris Merritt considers what might happen if the Greens gain the balance of power in federal politics.

Merritt observed:

“If the polls are right, much of the nation’s future direction is about to be determined by Adam Bandt’s Greens.

“That needs to be carefully considered not just by those who live in rented accommodation and are worried about the Greens’ tax policies, or by those who believe Jews have a right to self-determination in their historic homeland.

“It also needs to be considered by a broader cohort: those who support freedom of religion and want to continue to send their children to schools that reflect their religious beliefs.”

Merritt’s warning is well-timed. The Albanese Government last year quietly abandoned its long-delayed Religious Discrimination Bill, despite having promised protections for people of faith.

The Greens, meanwhile, have consistently opposed legislative efforts to carve out protections for religious institutions. From opposing former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s proposals to allow religious schools to hire in accordance with their beliefs, to calling for an end to federal funding of faith-based schools, the Greens have shown a clear hostility toward traditional religious expression.

Given their radical ideology and aggressive secularism, it's not hard to imagine a Greens-influenced government advancing measures that place religious freedom on the back foot.

As Christian commentator Stephen McAlpine has put it, the Greens “have an almost voracious appetite to see every issue as a cry for freedom from religion, not for it”.

Such a shift in Australia’s political culture could place pressure on Christian organisations and individuals – particularly those who uphold biological reality in education and women’s sport. The danger is not only social marginalisation but legal vulnerability.

If Australia continues down a path that erodes religious liberties, those of us who value faith in public life must prepare, organise, and know who our allies are.

At HRLA, we are committed to protecting everyday Australians who face discrimination or hostility for their religious beliefs—whether at work, school, or in the public square.

We’ve supported people of faith before, and we will continue to do so – because the right to live and speak in accordance with one’s conscience is worth defending for all Australians.